Rutgers basketball: With Omoruyi out and Purdue coming, where will Pikiell turn?

Injury updates on three players and a look at how Pikiell, who has never faced this issue, might patch the holes.

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Rutgers Eugene Omoruyi drives to the hoop on his way to scoring 22 points vs. Florida State at the RAC in Piscataway. The Seminoles won 78-73. November 28, 2017. Piscataway, New Jersey
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Although Omoruyi is still is being evaluated, Gannett New Jersey has learned that the extent of the injury is less severe than initially feared. It’s possible he could return to action before next month’s Big Ten Tournament.

“You won’t see him for a while,” Pikiell told reporters Thursday. “He has a bad injury. Just more adversity. You can’t control injuries. Obviously you feel awful for Eugene. He was playing well and was a big part of what we’re doing, but someone else will have to step up now.”

That someone could be senior forward Candido Sa, who suffered a scratched cornea at Illinois but should play — quite possibly with goggles — against Purdue.

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to be fine,” Pikiell said.

The 6-foot-9, 235-pound Sa averages just 2.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11 minutes, but he’s played better of late.

“He can defend multiple positions, he’s very mature, he’s been great in practice,” Pikiell said of Sa. “He’s really taken on some added (leadership) responsibilities with Mike (Williams) out. So he’s an important guy, especially since Purdue is so big. We need all the big bodies that we can in a game like this.”

That includes walk-on Luke Nathan, a 6-10, 230-pound freshman from Randolph.

“We’ve talked a lot about Luke Nathan,” Pikiell said. “Guys have to be ready.”

That does not include Myles Johnson, a 6-10, 260-pound freshman who is taking a redshirt.

“Myles has been doing great; he’s lost 23 pounds,” Pikiell said. “But it’s not the time of year to add him to the mix.”

No one brings the versatility of Omoruyi, who averages 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds, shoots a team-high .459 and has taken a team-leading 20 charges.

“I asked him how he felt last night; he said he’s going to work to get better,” said junior guard Corey Sanders, Omoruyi’s roommate. “We’re keeping him in our prayers, and hopefully we can get him back soon.”

As for Williams, he spent part of Thursday's practice riding the exercise bike hard — a sign that he's healing ahead of schedule. Indications are he could return in time for Senior Day on Feb. 25 against Illinois.

“I would pray and hope, but I don’t know,” Pikiell said. “He’s walking around a little bit. We’re way too far from that right now.”

There is no denying the injuries deflated Rutgers (12-12 overall, 2-9 Big Ten), which had been defending and rebounding at high levels despite offensive struggles. “When you lose a guy like (Omoruyi) after you lose Mike, it’s hard to back bounce from,” said Sanders, who vowed the team would continue fighting.

The 2015-16 Scarlet Knights, under Jordan, packed it in when injuries piled up. What will Pikiell’s first banged-up team do?

“I always say, from adversity comes great opportunity,” Pikiell said. “Hopefully they look at it that way.”

Odds and ends

Fans are encouraged to arrive early due to a new traffic pattern caused by construction around the RAC.

After the game, the Court Club is auctioning off historic Rutgers basketball items in the RAC's hospitality area.